Abstract

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF A NEW LECTIN EXTRACTED FROM ROOTS OF PLANTS: CYPERUS ROTUNDUS, PISTACIA LENTISCUS AND RUTA GRAVEOLENS

Youcef Necib*, Ahlem Bahi, Fateh Merouane, Hala Bouadi and Khaled Boulahrouf

Abstract

A lectin present in Root of plants Cyperus Rotundus, Pistacia Lentiscus and Ruta Graveolens were extracted by soluble proteins (crude extract) in phosphate buffer (0.1M, pH 7.2). The lectin of the plants agglutinated specifically rabbit erythrocytes. The hemagglutinating activity assay showed that the lectin of plants were not specific for blood human group. Extracted lectin of Cyperus Rotundus, Pistacia Lentiscus and Ruta Graveolens showed thermo stability in more than 100°C. However, the lectin of Cyperus Rotundus, Pistacia Lentiscus and Ruta Graveolens were stable in the PH ranged between 2 to12, 5to 12 and 3to 12 respectively and were showen to be inhibited by the glycoproteins fetuin, BSA, casein and ovalbumin and by the sugars D-glucosamine and methylmannopyranoside. Immunomodulatory activity of extracted lectins from rhizome plants Cyperus Rotundus, Pistacia Lentiscus and Ruta Graveolens were evaluated on phagocytic activity by carbon clearance test. Adult Albinos Wistar mice randomly divided into four groups, were the first was served as a control, while the remaining groups respectively treated with extracted lectins from root plants Cyperus Rotundus, Pistacia Lentiscus and Ruta Graveolens at dose of: 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg by intra-peritoneal injection (IP). Change in phagocytic activity was determined after 48 h injection of carbon ink suspension. In carbone clearance test, extracted lectins from rhizome plants Cyperus Rotundus, Pistacia Lentiscus and Ruta Graveolens exhibited significantly phagocytic index dose-dependent against control group, indicating stimulation of the reticulo-endothelial system. Present study thus reveals that extracted lectins from rhizome plants Cyperus Rotundus, Pistacia Lentiscus and Ruta Graveolens marine holds promise as immunomodulatory agent, which act by stimulating dose dependent phagocytic function.

Keywords: Immunomodulatory, Carbon Clearance rate, Cyperus Rotundus, Pistacia Lentiscus, Ruta Graveolens